6 September 2008
Avantoure magazine expands its digital distribution in the UK digital market
Avantoure, an international lifestyle interactive digital only publication, are pleased to announce that they have chosen Menzies Digital as their preferred digital newsstand supplier.
Avantoure digital subscriptions and single copies will be offered in a digital downloadable format on Menzies Digital magazinesondemand.co.uk newsstand.
Through their magazinesondemand.co.uk and WHSmith eMagazines sites Menzies Digital are able to bring Avantoure magazine to a wider audience than ever before.
Working with high profile ecommerce partners such as WHSmith (www.whsmith.co.uk) is a key to their online strategy, and means that over time Avantoure title will be available on more of the UK’s top consumer websites.
Avantoure is an exclusively digital lifestyle magazine published by an independent London based company, Avantoure UK Ltd. (www.avantoure.com).
Menzies Digital (www.menziesdigital.com) provides the UK’s most comprehensive Digital Newsagent service, offering a wide selection of top consumer magazines in digital format.
WHSmith (www.whsmith.co.uk) is one of the UK’s leading retailers and aims to be its most popular bookseller, stationer and newsagent. WHSmith.co.uk offers customers over 2 million books, over 300,000 entertainment titles and over 750 stationery and gifting products.
22 November 2007
WEB 2.0 collaboration!
Exclusively digital interactive lifestyle magazine Avantoure and an online by invitation only private community WiYO have signed an agreement of virtual collaboration.
Starting from November 2007 Avantoure magazine will be offering all WiYO members a complimentary access to downloadable content of the magazine. In addition, as a part of collaboration Avantoure will be co-creating Wi – magazine, WiYO online publication for professional and amateur writers.
“We believe that our partnership with WiYO will mark a beginning of mutually beneficial co-operation that will bring extra value to WiYO members.” - says Serafima Bogomolova, Publisher of Avantouremagazine.
“By collaborating with Avantoure magazine we will not only be able to offer our members quality content but also will be providing an extra channel to showcase products and services of artistic and business communities of WiYO.” – says Emmanuel Tricerri, Founder of WiYO private community.
Cooperation between WiYO and Avantoure is a good example of how online digital companies can create synergy which brings extra benefits to online users.
Avantoure is an exclusively digital lifestyle magazine published by an independent London based company, Avantoure UK Ltd. (www.avantoure.com). The digital format of the magazine is supported by Zinio System Inc. (www.zinio.com ).
WiYO (www.wiyo.net) is an online private global community that offers a multifaceted platform for social and business interaction. The mission of WiYO is to facilitate a dialogue between social, business and artistic circles and as a result to develop a diverse and creative online environment.
WiYO community embraces urban global audience from 60 different countries.
For further information please contact Serafima Bogomolova on info@avantoure.com
15 December 2006
AVANTOURE-Hanging Ten on the digital revolution
If “Life is a Game,” then AVANTOURE (www.avantoure.com), a London-based interactive digital magazine, is the board. Launched in March 2006, this new publication utilizes the flexibility and capabilities of the Internet to improve upon the limitations of a print magazine. By embedding rich media, hyperlinks and other elements into stories written by a unique cast of characters from around the globe, AVANTOURE is a groundbreaking format, sure to excite and inspire.
The bimonthly publication released its fourth issue in October 2006. Labeled the “Back to the Future” issue, articles revolved around technology and its impact on human lives. Stories with titles such as “Illusions in Our Midst,” “ Pop Star and Mad Professor—A Look at Alexander Bard” and “What’s with Cyber Sex” filled 115 virtual pages. Themes of past releases have including the “Las Vegas Issue” (May 2006) and the “Nautical Issue” (August 2006).
The magazine’s unusual name came from the desire to produce a publication that would “make people want to strive for something unusual, to experiment, and to be non judgmental…to encourage them to play with their lives a bit,” says Serafima Bogolomova, AVANTOURE’s Publisher. The title of the magazine is a combination of the French word “avan,” meaning forward, and the English “tour.” The result, a title that, loosely translated, means, “let’s set on a journey,” is one that readers instantly understand has to do with adventure.
Six sections organize the editorial content in each issue of AVANTOURE: Jackpot, Homo Ludens, Trophies, Adrenaline Rainbow, School of Trickery, and Anthology of Temptation. The names of the segments are based on six elements that the editorial staff believed exist in all games: roles, games, toys, places, rules and players. In each issue, articles examine subjects with the theme of their section in mind. For example, in Homo Ludens, which means “a playing man” in Latin, articles focus on unusual games, whether they are power games, role games or computer games.
What sets AVANTOURE apart from traditional magazines, however, is its creative use of the Internet as a medium of expression. Articles feature rich media elements such as animated pictures, hyperlinks, and audio and video trailers embedded within the magazine to create a completely new reading sensation. Instead of simply seeing a story, viewers can interact with it like never before. While other magazines are completely online or feature online additions, few, if any, utilize the Internet’s capabilities so completely. In terms of on-page interactivity and creative uses of multimedia, AVANTOURE ahead of the field.
This creative focus on new technology is entirely intentional. According to Serafima Bogomolova, “the ultimate goal for us is to develop an entertaining product that will combine elements of different media and will become a new generation of digital magazines…We would like to break the existing stereotypes of what magazine reading experience should be and show what it can be.” To this end, after each issue, the AVANTOURE staff examines what worked and what didn’t. Based on feedback received after the inaugural March-April issue, the May-June one included more audio files and full-page Flash animations to illustrate the articles. In subsequent issues, the editorial staff has focused on adding more video footage, additional Flash animations created from scratch to highlight specific articles, and slide shows.
Examples of the AVANTOURE’s technological advancements weave throughout the six sections. Nowhere is it more present than in the photo shoots, located in the Anthology of Temptation. Each page contains embedded song that helps tell the story of the shots. Serafima Bogomolova explains that “we are trying to tell a story in pictures with a mixture of media–for example we do a slide show, embed music into the shoot, and lay out images in a sequence of the story.” “When East Met West…” in the October-November issue featured a track that combined music traditions from both the side of the globe. It served to perfectly compliment the beautiful images shot by NY photographer Michael Bonacci and styled by London-based Vanessa Smuts, a student at London College of Fashion.
Serafima Bogolomova chose the digital format for a variety of reasons. For one, she always wanted to start a magazine, but didn’t have the start-up capital to produce a print publication. Plus, in her opinion, “the print one is so passé.” Aside from cost, digital technology is easy to distribute, environmentally friendly, and totally portable. The format “engages the reader into the reading/playing process,” explains the Publisher.
Not only is AVANTOURE is breaking new ground editorially, but it is also redefining the concept of office space. The magazine doesn’t have a physical headquarters because Serafima Bogomolova decided to use the Internet phone service Skype as an “office.” The Publisher reports, “All the issues have been created in a virtual reality, with contributors and team members never having a physical meeting.” While this may seem complicated, it’s actually the perfect Web 2.0 solution. With editors based in three different countries ( England, USA, Russia) and contributors filing from all over the world, this virtual space is the most efficient manner of communication. “Skype space for us is like a real office: you are able to see who is in and who is out, and able to check on the progress of work straight away,” the Publisher explains. This format is a major breakthrough in the way editors communicate with one another. It’s a huge innovation, despite the lack of water cooler gossip.
Serafima Bogomolova, the former Publisher of the Russian men’s cigar magazine Hecho A Mano, culled her staff from a series of unusual places. She stumbled across Art Director Ivan Listo when he was working as a shop assistant in a leather goods store in London and studying design and typography at London College of Communication. They started talking and, a few months later, she offered him the position. The Publisher had previously worked with Contributing Feature Editors Andrei Polonsky, a freelancer, and Alexei Jakovlev, a talented writer and professional gambler, at Hecho A Mano. New York City Contributing Feature Editor Rania Haditirto worked at Elle and WNET Channel Thirteen, and still continues to pursue a freelance photography career. Copy Editor Dan Richardson hails from London and writes for Rough Guides among other publications. The magazines freelancers have been found in coffee shops, bars and boutiques around the globe. Serafima Bogolomova enjoys working with all of them, in part because “they are very different from people who normally work in glossy, printed magazines.” Furthermore, the group is unique because, while all are professionals, she has found them through previous work or by accident. “Sometimes you meet a person, talk to him or her and realize that they will be perfect for your project!” she explains.
In addition to sporting an unusual editorial staff, AVANTOURE is redefining web design, having partnered with the Norwegian company MiniMercials ( www.minimercials.com) to create short streaming videos for the website. These minute long features include video, sounds animation, and other interactive content and, according to Serafima Bogomolova, help “enhance the content of our website and create a greater impact for our online message.” They give a short glimpse of the depth present in the magazine.
A yearlong subscription (six issues) to the magazine costs 11.50 (pounds). One issue costs 2 (pounds). Delivery of the publication is simple as subscribers download the Zinio System to their computer and the magazine arrives after a few clicks. The issue stays in the system until the user chooses to erase it. It’s akin to having a magazine rack installed on your desktop. The Publisher notes that this format takes up no space in a house, apartment or flat, and little room on a computer. Plus, using Zinio’s search feature, subscribers can perform a contextual search through the whole library in a matter of seconds. The need to flip through endless pages of text to find a specific article is totally eliminated.
The stories, however, aren’t the only flexible aspect of the magazine. Companies looking to advertise with AVANTOURE have a unique opportunity as well because they can produce interactive ads. The publication features beautiful spreads that link directly to a company or product’s webpage. With one click of a button, consumers will be looking at a homepage. Compare this ease of use with that of a print publication, where potential customers are likely to forget about a service by the time they finish reading, and the advantages lie clearly with AVANTOURE.
“This project is bold, innovative, creative and makes a statement,” Serafima Bogomolova explains, and AVANTOURE’s readers are destined to agree. Furthermore, they understand that “Life is a Game.” And, more importantly, with the help of AVANTOURE, they can enjoy it.
For more information on this unique publication that’s altering the way we understand magazines, please contact Serafima Bogomolova at info@avantoure.com.
29 May 2006
A new millennium reading experience from AVANTOURE magazine!
AVANTOURE, launched in March 2006, is a multimedia publication that is dedicated to creating a completely new magazine reading experience. An electronic lifestyle publication with embedded rich media elements is delivered over the internet straight to reader’s desktop, and can be read off and online.
AVANTOURE offers a paper-like experience, with the same layout, text and advertisements as printed magazines. But there are added advantages which are possible only in the digital format. Multimedia elements such as animated pictures, hyperlinks, audio and video trailers, embedded within the magazine help to create a completely new magazine reading experience.
"The ultimate goal for us is to develop an entertaining product that will combine elements of different media and will become a new generation of digital magazines. In each issue we are planning to introduce, develop and test different rich media elements. For example, in response to the feed back received on the pilot issue (March-April 2006), in May-June issue we have added more audio files, and created full page Flash animations to illustrate the articles. We would like to break the existing stereotypes of what magazine reading experience should be and show what it can be," says Serafima Bogomolova, Publisher of AVANTOURE magazine.
"Working on a digital publication such as AVANTOURE magazine is a great technological and production challenge for everyone involved in our creative team. For me as an Art Director the challenge lays in trying to find such visuals including photographs and illustrations that would have an impact being displayed on the screen. In contrast with printed publications such visuals cannot be too detailed but at the same time should ‘speak’ and create an experience," says Alexei Iakovlev, Art Director of AVANTOURE magazine.
AVANTOURE is published by an independent London based company, Avantoure UK Ltd. (www.avantoure.com). The digital format of the magazine is supported by Zinio System Inc. (www.zinio.com).
To request a free sample of May-June 2006 issue of AVANTOURE magazine and for further information on the magazine please contact Serafima Bogomolova or visit www.avantoure.com.
March 2006
International team of AVANTOURE magazine used SKYPE as their real-time office!
An international team of a new multimedia magazine AVANTOURE (www.avantoure.com) have chosen SKYPE as their real-time office and a preferred means of communications while working on the pilot issue of AVANTOURE magazine. SKYPE enabled the AVANTOURE team, based in four different countries, to stay in touch, have conference calls, hold editorial meetings, send instant messages, and exchange files in real time environment.
‘When we embarked on producing our pilot issue we did not anticipate that something we used for occasional communications with friends will become an every day necessity and a big budget saver! SKYPE space for us is like a real office: you are able to see who is in and who is out, and able to check on the progress of work straight away.’ - says Serafima Bogomolova, Publisher of AVANTOURE magazine.
‘Working on a visual aspect of the magazine requires lots of brain-storming, bouncing off ideas and being able to share the visuals with your team members. And SKYPE is ideal for all the above: whenever needed, I would just log in for a quick SKYPE chat meeting where I would be able to instantly skype images I wanted to discuss. SKYPE is great!’- says Alexei Iakovlev, Art Director of AVANTOURE magazine.
The pilot issue (March/April’06) of AVANTOURE magazine is due to come out next week.
AVANTOURE is a new multimedia magazine published by an independent London based company, Avantoure UK Ltd. (www.avantoure.com). The digital format of the magazine is supported by Zinio System Inc. (www.zinio.com).
For further information on AVANTOURE magazine please contact Serafima Bogomolova on info@avantoure.com or visit www.avantoure.com.
February 2006
AVANTOURE magazine chose MiniMercial to convey its message online!
A new interactive digital magazine AVANTOURE (www.avantoure.com) have partnered with a Norwegian company, MiniMercials (www.minimercials.com), to create an interactive message with a streaming multimedia content for its website. The MiniMercial is a minute long and combines a range of multimedia elements including video, sound, animation, and other interactive content.
‘The benefits of video streaming are enormous as one can communicate much more with sound and film compared to scrolling through web pages. The video created for us by MiniMercials has been used to enhance the content of our website and create a greater impact for our online message.’ - says Serafima Bogomolova, Publisher of AVANTOURE magazine.
‘The work we have just done for the AVANTOURE magazine in London literally took place in the virtual reality. It works a treat sending jobs back and forth for approval. It’s actually more efficient than having face to face meetings! The combination of video and the net is awesome!’ - says Owen Willis, CEO of MiniMercials.
AVANTOURE is a new interactive digital magazine published by an independent London based company, Avantoure UK Ltd. (www.avantoure.com). The digital format of the magazine is supported by Zinio System Inc. (www.zinio.com).
MiniMercials, based in Oslo, Norway, (www.minimercials.com) specializes in the production of video content for the web. The main product, a MiniMercial, is basically a mini web site. MiniMercials Company handles the whole process from film production to streaming on the internet.
For further information on AVANTOURE magazine please contact Serafima Bogomolova on info@avantoure.com.
January 2006
An independent London based publishing company will be launching a new interactive digital magazine, AVANTOURE, in March 2006.
AVANTOURE is a lifestyle publication based on an original concept and presented in a powerful digital format to create game-like experiences in a virtual world of dream identities, secret desires, and risky endeavours.
The rationale for the publication is based on the concept of ‘Life is a Game’, which builds its content around six game elements: Roles, Games, Toys, Places, Rules and Players. These elements are reflected in each section of the magazine, i.e. Jackpot, Homo Ludens, Trophies, Adrenaline Rainbow, School of Trickery, and Anthology of Temptation.
The digital format of the magazine gives both publishers and advertisers a unique opportunity to engage AVANTOURE readers in a mutual interactive environment.
The digital magazine offers a paper-like experience, with the same layout, text and advertisements as the printed version. But there are added advantages which are possible only in the digital format. Multimedia elements such as animated pictures, hyperlinks, audio and video trailers, embedded within the magazine will help to create a virtual world full of discoveries and adventures.
The first issue of AVANTOURE magazine will be available FREE of charge on www.avantoure.com starting from March 2006.
AVANTOURE magazine is published by an independent London based company, Avantoure UK Ltd. The digital format of the magazine is supported by Zinio System Inc. (www.zinio.com)
For further information please contact Serafima Bogomolova on info@avantoure.com